Can we please break the Gibson SG from its “metal only” stereotype?

Never Say Die and Technical Ecstasy had a big dose of Jazz flavor thrown in which I assume is why they are NOT in most Metal Dude's libraries. They are however probably my favorite Sabbath albums.

 

Classic Sabbath swings hard, which is one of the reasons I love them so much. Not your average "metal" band.

 

For sure. I don't consider Sabbath metal because Sabbath didn't consider themselves metal. There's a lot of layers to those guys & hard rock is only part of it.

To me metal is not only darker & aggressive sounding but also has a technical aspect.

Sabbath still had a fluctuating groove or feeling even when rocking out.

Warpigs which has fairly technical drumming but then a somewhat lazy sloppy guitar over it.

 

No way, the SG is will forever be the Devil’s Guitar \m/

 

I'm lucky. As mentioned, the SG was my first electric and only electric for many years. I got very used to the balance of the SG and subconsciously would hold it up by the friction on my picking arm. Helps a lot, as I now do that with every guitar I play. Balance is no longer a concern for me.

Not that this is actually of use to you, just sayin'... SG players are a special breed.

 

I am on SG #3. I don’t play Metal.

 

I saw him play a couple of weeks ago and was surprised by the choice, but not disappointed — it was a slightly more rocking set than I expected, maybe he's gone metal....

 

I recently got a 2018 SG Standard in a trade. Never owned a humbuckered Gibson before - due to too many bad associations with players I don't dig. My bad. Played through a Fender amp - this thing honks and twangs with the best of them. It's a great country guitar! Gibson's Tele - as it were.

 

This is a silly thread. Even by TDPRI standards.

Anyway @41144 and @brookdalebill - if you want to try an SG again, just look for one where the neck doesn’t easily flex. They’re out there.

It took me awhile to realize it’s not the nut or bridge. It was me flexing the neck on “rubberneck” SGs. Some have a much more stable neck joint.

Or embrace the rubberneck and make it part of your style.

 

Mick Tayor

 

Thank you for that! I’ve just read his Instagram posts with much interest.

 

Since it looks like the "SG is for metal" claim has been put to rest, can I push this in a different direction and ask: what is a good "entry level" SG? I mean, good pickups, sounds good, plays good, you'd be proud to own it, but you're not gonna shell out a grand. There are so many versions out there... Tribute, Special, Junior, Standard, various reiusses... not to mention the Epiphones.

 

HaHa, yes . And that's no Gibson, it's a John Birch custom.
Funnily enough, I always associate the SG with Frank Zappa and his wasn't a Gibson either, but a home-made (by a fan) job.

 

Me nether, The only stereotype for the SG that I knew of was players with small hands like them...

 

Preach! Here's an SG Junior with a Seymour Duncan JB.

 

FREE BIRD!
Gary Rossington


Todd Rundgren (with Clapton’s)


Stephen Stills (nice Browns jersey!)

 

My first electric was a 1971 SG-200. Still my favorite guitar. Cost me $200 in 1977, and is still selling around $800 today. But honestly, just about any SG is good if you find "the" guitar.

 

Drive By Truckers, The Waiting Room, Omaha, NE, June 13, 2017 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr

 

Gary Clark Jr, y'all!